Signal



y 1932- u. NACHUMSOHN 1,859,676

SiGNAL Filed Aug. 4, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1932- n. NACHUMSOHN 1,859,676

S I GNAL Filed Aug. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 2 1932- a. NACHUMSOHN V 1,859,676

' SIGNAL Filed Aug. 4,

III/11111115071211 1 Patented May '24, 1932 nwme nacnumsomv,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SIGNAL Applicationflled new 4, 1926. Serial No. 127,087.

. My invention relates to the improvement in signals and particularly in a means, method and system for producing audible noises or signals. It consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Among the objects of my invention are; to provide an audible signaling device that will be thoroughly practical; to provide an audible signal having a voice or other sound reproducing record, with means forrapid initiation of movement of said record upon operation of an electro-responsive signaling instrument; to provide a method of signaling by means of a push-button or other signaling instrument whereby the amplitude or volume of the signal is dependent upon the movement or-pressure applied to said signaling instrument; to provide a signaling device, such as an automobile horn or the like, that will produce intelligible audible signals as by voice reproduction. A thoroughly practical application of the improvement is in the form of an automobile horn capable of conveying intelligible sounds, such as, for example, the name of the automobile, instead of the usual unintelligible sounds produced by such devices in use heretofore.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification progresses with reference to the accompanying drawings and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a view' in crosssection, disclosing the general arrangement of parts. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section through line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the record 7 initiating and stopping mechanism. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of the periphery of the record. Fig. 6 is a crosssection of the signaling instrument. Fig. 7 shows one of several circuits that may be used for carrying out the invention.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a housing or frame member is shown at 1. A shaft 2, rotatably mounted therein by 16 which is fastened in the ",je

means of bearings 2a, carries in a fixedrelation thereto a sleeve 3. With the adjacent end fastened thereto, a flat clock-spring is spirally Wound around the sleeve 3. The other end of the sprlng 4 is fastened at 4a to the. inner periphery of a drum 5, which drum is rotatably mounted on the shaft 2. Integral with the outer periphery of the drum are gear teeth 6 adapted for en agement with a pin- 1on 7 (Fig. 2). A sha 7a, upon vwhich the P1111011 7 is fastened, is rotatably mounted between bearing members 76, andycarries in fixed relation thereto a well-known typeof governor 8. The friction plate 9 ,-(Fig.1) of the governor is arranged to frictionally engage an adjustable brake 10, thereby preventing the shaft 7 a from exceeding ajpredeten mined speed. Means for maintaining sufiicient te sion in the spring 4 is provided in a motor.M,;which, through the medium of a woriiillIaxid associate gear 12 rotates the shaft y2;,the,worm gear 12 being fixed relative to the shaft; Fastened to and rotating with theidrum 5 is a circular voice or other sound producing record 13, having sound impressions on the periphery 13a thereof. (See Fig.--

jiAdacent said periphery is an L shaped member 14 having its arcuate edge 1% in recording contact with the impression d rotation of the record.

The end of the longest po 14 is pivotally mounted at 1'5" perpendicular relation to a, aphragm 17 Said diaphragm of a circular disc clamped area tween a circular recess 18 offt a circular plate 19, by means of 20. A horn 21 is secured in the' f al' liole of the plate 19, and conveys the r vibrations set up by the diaphragm in' al 'well known manner. Sufficient space istfallowed to the front and rear of the diaphragm to permit free vibration thereof, and yenttr hgles 22; are provided in the frame POItlQIl-iitOdBllGilIflI of the diaphragm for this same-,purlposeim Means for varying the amplitude'ior volume of sound is provided in a pivotal support 23 for the member 14:. Said nivnt is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the record. (Figs. 1 and 2.) Since the sound impressions 13a create a vibratory movement of member 14 about its pivotal support 23, it is obvious that by shifting the pointof this support nearer to the record, the amplitude will be increased, since the point of application of motion to the lever 14 will be made closer to the fulcrum, or pivot, 23.

The pivot 23 is mounted on an arm 24-- (Fig. 2) at one end of said arm; intermedi-' Looking at Fig. 2-it will be seen that at the point where lever 28 passes over lever 24 the two are interlinked. These links consist of two strips of metal having holes near both ends. The strips 32 are disposed one on each 46 side oflevcr 28. A pin 33 passing through lever 28 and thru the strips 32 hinge them together. The other ends of members 32 are secured by means of another pin to lever 24 in the same manner. By thus connecting the levers 28 and 24 it is obvious that a movement of the former, as caused by the energizing of the electromagnet heretofore described, will shift the pivotal support 23 relative to the record, thus varying the amplitude as already explained.

In addition to the solenoid plunger (Fig. 4) the ferro-magnetic circuit of the electromagnet 31 consists of square end plates 34 and 35, to the latter of which is hinged an armature 36. An integral portion. 37 of said armature is tapered in width towards the end thereof, and terminates in a portion 38 (Figs. 2 and 4). When the magnet is de-energized the portion 38 engages a lug 39 that is fastened to and rotates with the record. This engagement instantly stops rotation of the record. Energizing the electromagnet pulls the armature 36 toward the pole piece 34, against the action of a spring 40, and permits rotation of the record. The stop member 39 is preferably located on the record adjacent the beginning of the signal or other voice impression that may be desired for reproduction by the improvement.

Besides acting as a stopping device member 39 performs other important functions which will become more obvious as the specification progresses and particularly the function of indexing or identifying area, such as the beginning, end, or any other predetermined point, alon the length of the record track. Thus it serves as an index by way of its location and application in conjunction with the large number of peripheral impressions on the record 13.

Means for initiating the rotation of the record and for controlling or varying the volume during reproduction are provided in a signalin consists o a pluralit of carbon discs 41 terinstrument shown in Fig. 6. It

minating, at one en in a metal disc 42't0 which is connected bindin post 43. Connection to the other end 0 said instrument is made through a metal case 44. Between said case and the carbon discs is a cup-shaped insulator 44a for insulating the former from the discs. Adjacent to and in contact with the case 44 is a spring'45 arranged to yieldably oppose operation of the push-button 46. Depression of said button causes the spring 45 to contact with a metal disc 47, thus establishing an electrical circuit between post 43 and case 44 which includes the electrical resistance, due to the contact resistance, be-.

tween the carbon discs. The electrical resistance between terminals 43 and 44-is dependent upon the pressure applied to member The solenoid winding 31 (Fig.7) is shunted across the terminals of motor M and this combination in series with a suitable E. M. F.

'B and the signaling instrument.

Operation of the signaling instrument starts the motor. Simultaneously, the sole: noid 31 is ener 'zed and, being that the armature 36 is so adjusted that comparatively little current will move it, the record is released and continues to rotate, repeating the signal as long as the button 46 remains depressed. If louder signals are desired more pressure may be applied to member 46, thereby increasing the current through winding 31, which increased current will cause plunger 30 to bedrawn further into the solenoid. This motion of the plunger 30 is yieldably opposed by a spring 24a (Fig. 2) through the medium of lever 24. One end of sprin 24a is attached to the end of lever 24 and t 0 other end (not shown) is fastened to any suitable relatively stationary point.

If desired the circuit may be modified so that any well-known type of tension switch, operable when spring 4 exceeds a predetermined tension, may be installed and its contacts connected in series with the motor M and a suitable E. M. F. In this case the signaling instrument shown in Fig. 6 would be connected in series with magnet 31 and a suitable E. M. F. Thus the winding of spring 4 by the motor would be independent of the electrical condition of the signaling instrument.

It is obvious that numerous chan made in the details set forth without departure for the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a device of the character described, a

may be.

sesame record having an endless record track thereon, vibratile means therefor, driving mechanism for said record comprising a spring means for maintaining a tension to said spring, indexical means moving with said record for identifying a predetermined point along the length of said track, a member coacting with said indexical means for normally preventing operation of said record by said spring and means associated with said member for controlling the operation thereof.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a record, an index on said record for identifying a predetermined point 15 along the length of the record track, means tending to move said record and electromagnetically controlled means cooperating with said index normally restraining the motion of said record.

3. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a record having a single circular record track thereon, mechanical 1ndexical means associated with said record for identifying a predetermined point thereof and means cooperating therewith for controlling the startin and stopping of said record.

4. In an audi le device, the combination of a record member having a continuous circular record track thereon mechanical means direct- 1y associated with said member for identifying a predetermined point of said track, and means cooperating with said mechanical meians for initiating the operation of said recor 5. In a signal device, a record, means for rotating the record, a series of vibratory impressions on said record, vibratile means engaging the record impressions, an index mounted on said record, said index identify ing a predetermined point along the series of impressions, and means for selectively engaging said index to release the record for rotation and to stop the record with the vibratile means engaging the predetermined point on u the record.

IRVING NAOHUMSOHN. 

